I was wondering how life was unfolding for you! My favorite quote: "I am not keeping up with online conversations, but I am receiving frequent updates from the warmth on the wind telling of summer's approach." It's beautiful to hear how your priorities have shifted. Thank you for sharing with the world!
Yes, I resonate with this (along with the cicadas)! I love the poem too. The birds do call, and it's still a mystery why they sing, but maybe for the same reason I do, and we do. "I'm here! Here I am! Here I am!"
And I feel this so much too: "life wants to live". There is no despair in the life of the woods, only this, and it's so obvious, the exuberance and endurance and thrust to live.
I was hoping you'd read and share your reflections! Yeah I'm very curious why the birds call and what they're saying. To me the owls seem to be saying, "Yo, who up?" but I'd like to know. Yes, life wants to live. :))
I live off-grid (for 10 years now) and had I known what I know now, I would have simplified things A LOT. I would have made it far less “comfortable”. And, I couldn’t have known, of course, coming from a suburban/urban life in Honolulu (I know the urbanity pales in comparison to LA or London or NY) but now that I’m really resting into life here in a new (old) way, I find myself wishing the house were smaller, that we had fewer possessions, that we had begun by build king our lives around an even slower ethic of living. But, all is not lost. The house may remain huge (I hope for many grandchildren perhaps living here someday, maybe) and I may not be ripping half my PV system anytime soon, but there are things that I can and am doing. And honestly, it’s making all the difference.
Wow that's so interesting! What makes you desire to simplify things? We're building a tiny 512 sq. foot house and I worry it will be long-term too small, so it's helpful to know that a big house is not the answer but instead working on simplifying.
I want to simplify because I want an even slower life and a more intimate relationship with the earth and with aliveness. I want to simplify in order to more fully divest from systems of harm that oppress peoples and lands and waters, both locally and globally. I wish I had had the foresight and courage to take an even greater step away from capitalist-consumer culture 10 years ago, but instead I let the door open (and with having kids, that life has come back pushier than ever). So, now (and for a while now) I’ve felt this urge, the strong push, to reduce my “stuff”, to figure out a rhythm for our homeschooling/unschooling days that nudges us further toward simple living.
There’s lots more I could say, I suppose, but I hope that answers your question.
Ah that is helpful context. I also am looking to take a greater step away from the capitalist-consumer culture. Nice to connect with you, I wish you great luck on your path!
HEWWOOOO!!
I was wondering how life was unfolding for you! My favorite quote: "I am not keeping up with online conversations, but I am receiving frequent updates from the warmth on the wind telling of summer's approach." It's beautiful to hear how your priorities have shifted. Thank you for sharing with the world!
Thank you Erika! Looking forward to reading your writing—I hope soon!
Thanks for sharing this. You’re inspiring me to invest more in solar and making my home in 2 acres of forest more resilient.
Ah that's so wonderful to hear! Let me know how it goes!
Give that coyote a fist bump for me
You bet, we do poker every Friday now so I'll bump 'im there.
My favorite quote is:
We have removed most other species from our habitat in order to make our lives more comfortable. But maybe we have removed a part of ourselves, too.
I shared it. I live in the land of Lawnmowers, Leafblowers and Gardens dosed in Roundup.
Oof, I feel for you (and those gardens!) Helene! Maybe in time they'll let things get a bet wilder...
Yes, I resonate with this (along with the cicadas)! I love the poem too. The birds do call, and it's still a mystery why they sing, but maybe for the same reason I do, and we do. "I'm here! Here I am! Here I am!"
And I feel this so much too: "life wants to live". There is no despair in the life of the woods, only this, and it's so obvious, the exuberance and endurance and thrust to live.
Beautifully expressed, Alex!
I was hoping you'd read and share your reflections! Yeah I'm very curious why the birds call and what they're saying. To me the owls seem to be saying, "Yo, who up?" but I'd like to know. Yes, life wants to live. :))
I live off-grid (for 10 years now) and had I known what I know now, I would have simplified things A LOT. I would have made it far less “comfortable”. And, I couldn’t have known, of course, coming from a suburban/urban life in Honolulu (I know the urbanity pales in comparison to LA or London or NY) but now that I’m really resting into life here in a new (old) way, I find myself wishing the house were smaller, that we had fewer possessions, that we had begun by build king our lives around an even slower ethic of living. But, all is not lost. The house may remain huge (I hope for many grandchildren perhaps living here someday, maybe) and I may not be ripping half my PV system anytime soon, but there are things that I can and am doing. And honestly, it’s making all the difference.
Thanks for the good, reflective article.
Wow that's so interesting! What makes you desire to simplify things? We're building a tiny 512 sq. foot house and I worry it will be long-term too small, so it's helpful to know that a big house is not the answer but instead working on simplifying.
I want to simplify because I want an even slower life and a more intimate relationship with the earth and with aliveness. I want to simplify in order to more fully divest from systems of harm that oppress peoples and lands and waters, both locally and globally. I wish I had had the foresight and courage to take an even greater step away from capitalist-consumer culture 10 years ago, but instead I let the door open (and with having kids, that life has come back pushier than ever). So, now (and for a while now) I’ve felt this urge, the strong push, to reduce my “stuff”, to figure out a rhythm for our homeschooling/unschooling days that nudges us further toward simple living.
There’s lots more I could say, I suppose, but I hope that answers your question.
Ah that is helpful context. I also am looking to take a greater step away from the capitalist-consumer culture. Nice to connect with you, I wish you great luck on your path!
oh my god Alex this is so so so great. love the bus, love the wonder, love the poem, love hearing what this place is nourishing for you 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷